San Angelo woman meets caretakers of father's grave

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San Angelo resident Johnnie Gist poses for a photo with the Cox family - Herman (left), Barbara and Thomas - during a tour of the San Angelo Visitors Center Friday, July 14, 2017. The Coxes have adopted the grave of Gist's father who is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten.
Michelle Gaitan / San Angelo Sta

San Angelo resident Johnnie Gist poses for a photo in her home July 13, 2017, next to a wall dedicated to her father Pfc. John L. Hyatt who died during WWII.
Michelle Gaitan / San Angelo Standard-Times

San Angelo resident Johnnie Gist poses for a photo with the Cox family - Thomas (left front), Herman, Barbara - during a visit to the Hummer House in Christoval Friday, July 15, 2017. The Coxes have adopted the grave of Gist's father who is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten.
Courtesy photo

San Angelo resident Johnnie Gist (right), her family and the Cox family - Herman, Barbara and Thomas - are recognized during the Bulls of the West performance Saturday, July 15, 2017. The Coxes have adopted the grave of Gist's father who is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten.
Michelle Gaitan / San Angelo Standard-Times

The Cox family - Herman (right), Barbara and Thomas - pose for a photo next to a photo of the American solider whose grave they adopted at the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten.
Michelle Gaitan / San Angelo Standard-Times

Barbara Cox, of Maastricht, Netherlands, shops at Mr. Boots with San Angelo resident Johnnie Gist Friday, July 14, 2017. Cox and her family have adopted the grave of Gist's father at the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten.
Michelle Gaitan / San Angelo Standard-Times

SAN ANGELO — Sitting around a dinner table, a family from the Netherlands laugh at stories of grandchildren and shooting rattlesnakes told by San Angelo resident Johnnie Gist.

For Herman and Barbara Cox of Maastricht, Netherlands, and Johnnie and David Gist, it was their first dinner together after being introduced nearly nine years ago. The two families have been connected for 72 years by a U.S. soldier buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery in nearby Margraten.

The Coxes are the caretakers of the grave of Pfc. John L. Hyatt, Johnnie Gist’s father. Their home is a 10-mile trip from the cemetery.

On July 12, 2017, the Gists welcomed the Coxes and their 18-year old grandson Thomas Cox to their home. This is the Coxes' first U.S. visit.

Gist is packing as much of West Texas into her guests' three-week stay in San Angelo as she can.

San Angelo resident Johnnie Gist poses for a photo in her home July 13, 2017, next to a wall dedicated to her father Pfc. John L. Hyatt who died during WWII.(Photo: Michelle Gaitan / San Angelo Standard-Times)

From trying on cowboy boots and hats to visiting local attractions such as the Pearl of the Concho, the Coxes are being immersed in Texas culture.

“I want them to have an appreciation of our city and our culture, and our way of life,” she said. “I want them to know Texas. I’d like to show them as much of it as I can.”

Gist, one of two children, was 9 years-old when her father was killed. A painful experience that, even now, is hard to recall without tears.

He was part of the Army’s 331st Infantry Regiment, 83rd Infantry Division.

“He didn’t have to go to the military. He volunteered,” she said. “His younger brother was a Marine in the Pacific Ocean. In 1944 the war was going (so) badly that my dad said ‘I can’t let my little brother fight this war alone. I have to go to war, too.’”

“My uncle came back from the war and my dad didn’t,” she said.

Hyatt served less than a year.

The families have become close, sharing with one another memories of the soldier they both love. The Coxes brought with them books, a documentary and photos for the Gists.

Herman Cox proudly showed a picture of his father, Herman Cox Sr., kneeling next to the grave of Gist’s father with flowers laid in front of the cross headstone.

Herman Cox Sr. at the grave site of Pfc. John L. Hyatt at the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten.(Photo: Courtesy Photo)

Herman Cox’s father worked for the government regulating the roads to the American cemetery in 1945, and when he was 5 years old his father took him to visit the grave he adopted.

“My father was the first generation, I am the second and Thomas is the fourth generation to take care of the grave,” he said. “My dad was interested in the war and what happened with the Germans, and Thomas also. He’s interested in the history and he said “I take the adoption over.’”

Herman Cox said it’s been a nice tradition to care for the grave of an American boy who lost his life, and is done with a sense of honor and respect.

San Angelo resident Johnnie Gist gets help to her car from Thomas Cox, of Maastricht, Netherlands, during a tour around San Angelo Friday, July 14, 2017.(Photo: Michelle Gaitan / San Angelo Standard-Times)

The Dutch people have a long and proud history of caring for the 8,301 graves of fallen U.S. soldiers — a gesture of thanks for their liberation against Germany during WWII.

The Cox family - Herman (right), Barbara and Thomas - pose for a photo next to a photo of the American solider whose grave they adopted at the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten.(Photo: Michelle Gaitan / San Angelo Standard-Times)

Bike rides or unplanned visits to the grave are common for the Coxes, who say they take flowers on special occasions or spend time talking to the soldier.

Thomas said it's important for him to carry on the tradition and honor soldiers so far from home.

It's good the grave has been adopted, and its no problem for me to go there three, four or six times a year to take flowers or say something, Thomas Cox said, noting he has been going to the grave with his grandfather since he was young.